The Second Book of Samuel

Chapter 8

David defeats and subjects many nations—The Lord is with him—He executes judgment and justice unto all his people.

1 And after this it came to pass, that David asmote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote aMoab, and bmeasured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the cMoabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

3 ¶ David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

5 And when the aSyrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the ashields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9 ¶ When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

11 Which also king David did adedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of aAmmon, and of the bPhilistines, and of cAmalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of asalt, being eighteen thousand men.

14 ¶ And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of aEdom became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

15 And David areigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

16 And aJoab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

17 And aZadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the bscribe;